Treatment of Stapedial Myoclonus as a Migraine-Related Phenomenon

Abstract

ObjectiveTo describe a case series of patients with stapedial myoclonus (SM) whose conditions improved after prophylactic migraine treatment.PatientsWe present seven cases of SM reported from a tertiary care neurotology clinic. All seven patients reported SM triggers similar to those of migraine headaches and suffered from concomitant headaches and/or vertigo, and were thus treated with a standard migraine protocol used at this neurotology clinic.InterventionProphylactic migraine treatment.Main Outcome MeasuresReduction or resolution of SM.ResultsIn this series, seven patients with SM were included. Six of seven subjects were male (86%), with a mean age at presentation of 44 years. Four patients noted significant improvement in their symptoms, with a reduced frequency, duration, and intensity of their symptoms with the migraine regimen. Three patients experienced complete resolution of SM with their migraine treatment.ConclusionWe report that treatment with prophylactic migraine treatment can provide long-term relief for patients with SM, which may suggest an etiological association between migraine and SM as well as a possible treatment for SM.